I was hanging out with Jimmie Turner the other day and he told me about impromptu phone recording of a Bethel Church staff meeting.  Jimmie talked about how full of honor the meeting was and how good it was to see what happens behind the scenes.

Bill Johnson the senior pastor was asked this question, “Being younger than you, if you were us, in that desire to be friends with the Lord what would you advise us to do now”

Bill quietly responded: “Grow in your affection for Him and stop evaluating yourself, (laughter) just get over yourself.  Just the affection is the adoration it’s the willingness to spend time without asking for anything.”

A follow up question was asked  “Why is getting over yourself connected with friendship with the Lord.”

“If you’re constantly evaluating yourself you’ll never feel qualified for that friendship cause you’ll live with this awareness of what doesn’t work what’s not right.  You just always disqualify.  When there is constant evaluation of how I’m doing somehow I’m going to disqualify myself… you end up disqualifying yourself for the significance He has for you, it just comes down to being impressed with His significance over your own insignificance.  One has to stand up stronger than the other and it makes up for what you feel you lack.  I live with an awareness of what I lack I don’t known if you ever escape that but grace means He more than makes up for that lack.”

I needed to hear that segment of the interview.  I need to be reminded that friendship with God is a real thing.  I need to go spend some time adoring Him before I turn this blog post into a list of things I should be doing.

When was the last time you spent time with God and didn’t ask for anything?  Let us know in the comments.